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Page 94
saddle so that he could ride beside his master. He knew the lecture was really for him. Adam was too young. Ian began to describe why he had taken the route he had chosen, how he had put the information he had received together, and what his conclusions were Adam's eyes closed. Owain listened intently, interspersing questions. Someday not too far in the future he would need to ask similar questions and draw conclusions from the answers. Beorn retired into his own thoughts. Why a thing happened or must be done was the business of the lord. Thank God there was again a lord to do that part. His business was to follow orders. The lord required ten worthy battle captains. Beorn began to consider his subordinates.
When a manservant came running to tell Alinor the troop had returned, she put down her needle and went to a window that overlooked the bailey. Although she had to unhook the scraped hide that kept out a little of the cold and let in some light, she was in time to see Ian waking Adam, his head bent affectionately over the boy, who was stretching and yawning in his arms. Alinor shook her head at the sight of Ian's shield on his shoulder, but she knew she would say nothing. The explanation was apparent. They had been out too long, Adam had tired, and Ian would not injure the boy's pride by giving his shield to another bearer.
Fear touched her. A messenger waited for Ian in the castle, a messenger wearing the colors of the Earl of Salisbury. The unfolding scene below increased her anxiety. The cheerful voices and laughter of the men reflected the sense of satisfaction of their leader. When they had been out with Beorn, they had come back sullen and uncertain, frustrated by their repeated failures to accomplish anything. Even Beorn looked relaxed. There was a spring to his step, as if he had cast off an enormous weight. Owain, a far more suitable companion for a boy than the crude men-at-arms, was shepherding Adam's sleepy steps into the forebuilding.

 
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